Refining and purification of hydrocarbon oils



Patented. Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED v STATES A ENT oFFlcs '5 JACQUE C. MORBELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA BIEEBININCL'AND runmrcarron or nvnnocannon OILS Ho Drawing.

This invention relates to im rovements in refimng and purification of hy rocarbon oils, and refers more articularly tothe desulphurization of hy rocarbon oils for the purpose of providing a product which is free of refractory-sulphur compounds.

The present invention contemplates the refining and purification of hydrocarbon oil of any gravity from a crude hydrocarbon of low gravity, up to and including a motor fuel of higher gravity. More speci cally, the invention is peculiarly ap licable to the desulphurization of cracked istillates. Hydrocarbon oils, particularly the overhead condensed products sold commercially and produced in crackin operations sometimes contain an oble amount of refractory sul hur jectiona compounds which are not removable rom the oil by the usual refining agents such as sulphuric-acid, caustic soda, litharge in caustic soda, filter earth and the like.

I have found that the alkyl-disulphides and analogous sulphur compounds present in oils, may be converted into compounds which can be removed by subsequent subjection to treatment with the usual refining agents.

More specifically, I have found that when oil containing these objectionable and refractory sulphur compounds is treated in the presence of a finely divided metal and an oil soluble acid, that these compounds are converted into compounds such as hydrogen sulphide and the mercaptans which can be subsequently treated so as to reduce the total sulphur content of the resulting product.

I have further found that among the metals which can be used, may be listed zinc, tin, iron or metal having analogous characteristics. Among the oil soluble acids which may be used, may be listed glacial acetic acid and hydro en chloride.

Either tie metal or the acid can be introduced into the oil initially followed by the other, or they may be introduced slmultaneously. The oil body into which the re fining agents of the present invention have been introduced, is preferably heated since it has been found that the reaction proceeds at a much greater rate under heat than in ling of the various constituents.

ing the oil to Application filed March 25, 1926. Serial No. 97,461.

the cold. It is further to be noted that in some instances, the oil body containing these refimn agentsmay be agitated for the purpose o securing a more complete interming- It is also preferable that the oil being treated under heat, is preferably refiuxedor distilled with the refining agents for the purpose of extending the period of reaction b preventing the more volatile components rom leaving the system.

a The following proportions may be as illustrative, it being understood that they may vary within wide limits and not depart from the scope of the invention; From 1 to 2% of acid and 1 to 2% of metal based on the volume of oil being treated. It will be found that the reaction takin place in the oil due to the introduction of tie reagents of the present invention will convert the refractory sulphur compounds, particularly the disulphides, into compounds which can be-subsequently easily treated with the usual refining agents such as plumbite solutions.

The desulphurization'as described above, may constitute the sole refining action on the oil, or it may constitute but a step in a series of various refining methods. It may be preceded by the usual treatments with refining agents such as sulphuric acid, caustic soda,

plumbite, filtering earth or the like, and maybe succeeded by any combination of the above .refining agents followed if desired, by disgiven 1. A step in a method of purifying and refining hydrocarbon oils, comprising sub-' jecting the oil to heat in the presence SlIIlllltaneously of added metal and glacial acetic acid to convert the refractory sulphur compounds in the oil.

2. A step in a process ofrefining and purifying hydrocarbon oils,.comprising subjectheat in the presence simultaneously of zinc and glacial acetic acid to convert refractory sulphur compounds present in the oil.

8. A step in a method of refining and purifyin1 hydrocarbon oils, comprising subjecting t e oil to treatment in the resence simultaneously of added metal an acetic acid.

J ACQUE C. MORRELL. 

